Traveling textile machine tending unit

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for tending an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame wherein a yarn piecing apparatus is traveled along first one side of the elongate textile machine and then the other side of the textile machine while a flow of air cleans the machine. Flows of air for blowing and vacuum cleaning pass through a housing which is traveled back and forth above and along the elongate textile machine, and through tubes depending from the housing into aisle space at one side of the machine. As the tending unit completes a traverse of one side of the machine, the housing approaches an end portion of the machine and is rotated about a substantially vertical axis while the tubes and yarn piecing apparatus pass around an end of the machine into a position in aisle space to the opposite side thereof. Continuing a movement of the housing and other components of the tend apparatus services both sides of the machine.

{ 1*Sept. 30, 1975 United States Patent [191 Lee, Jr.

[54] TRAVELING TEXTILE NIACHINE TENDING 3.754.992 8/1973 Lee. 15/312 R X UNIT [75] Inventor: Charles D. Lee, Jr., Charlotte. NC. -Y Huckcn Assistant Lxan1inerCharles Gorenstem l l Assigncc? Parks-Cram" Company, Fitchburg- Attornqv, Agent, or I-irm--Parrott, Bell. Seltzer, Park Mass. & Gibson Notice: The portion of the term of this ABSTRACT An apparatus for tending an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame wherein a yarn piecing apparatus is traveled along first one side of the elongate 22 Filed:

textile machine and then the other side of the textile machine while a flow of air cleans the machine. Flows Related US. Application Data 1 -p of 5911 14L338- of air for blowing and vacuum cleaning pass through a 197L131 375499 housing which is traveled back and forth above and along the elongate textile machine. and through tubes depending from the housing into aisle space at one [51] Int.

side of the machine. As the tending unit completes a traverse of one side of the machine. the housing approachcs an end portion of the machine and is rotated about a substantially vertical axis while the tubes and yarn piecing apparatus pass around an end of the ma- 156] References Cned chine into a position in aisle space to the opposite side UNITED STATES PATENTS nd other components of the tend apparatus services both sides of the machine.

thereof. Continuing a movement of the housing a 13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 7: l l l l l l l l l lll'lll :1 J l l l l l l l lllr Fllllllllll ALI t l A bk E .fi w 5 i r\ T U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,908,346

llllllllll GM AM m, a \ILIJIWMJ 0 LW i A m j m N y x, i W E F L u u 2 EL Q a fi fli fl A A v J IlllllllIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll I .llllllllINIIIIIIIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll US. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,908,346

which reinstitute yarn production. U.S. Pat.

TRAVELING TEXTILE MACHINE TENDING UNIT This application is a continuation-in-part of a copending application Ser. No. 141,338 filed May 7, 1971 and entitled Traveling Pneumatic Cleaner and Method", now U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,992 issued Aug. 28, 1973.

As recognized in the aforementioned copending application, the cleaning of elongate textile machines such as spinning frames through the use of traveling pneumatic cleaners has been recognized as an important textile practice, and one significant recent devel opment has been improved efficiency of economically provided servicing through use of a cleaning apparatus which successively cleans alternate sides of at least one elongate textile machine.

A concurrently developing trend has involved increasing use of apparatus which reinstitutes production of yarn at spindle locations or the like at which the yarn has become broken. Such apparatus, which are here referred to as yarn piecing apparatus are exemplified by disclosures ofU.S. Pat. Nos. Re. 26,360; 3,373,551; and 3,403,866. Arrangements contemplated by such patent disclosures have included apparatus which supplies an intermediate length of yarn to be used in reinstituting yarn production; unwinding apparatus which unwinds a length of yarn from a previously wound package; and apparatus which spins the required length of yarn from attenuated textile material issuing from drafting rolls at a yarn forming location.

Heretofore, little attention has been given to the compatibility of tending units which service elongate textile machines such as spinning frames by directing cleaning flows of air relative thereto and tending units No. 3,486,319, owned in common with the present invention, represents the earliest attempt known to the present inventor. While the arrangement of this prior U.S. Patent successfully overcomes certain problems of compatibility, certain other minor difficulties are introduced, primarily stemming from the reliance for cleaning on an apparatus having tubes depending into aisle space on both sides of a spinning frame or the like. As will be noted from the aforementioned U.S. Patent, the arrangement provided places separate yarn piecing apparatus on each side of an elongate textile machine, thus duplicating the mechanism required for accomplishing that function and requiring interruption of travel along the textile machine being tended upon location of an interrupted yarn on either side, irrespective of the condition of the yarn on the other side thereof. Further, the economic investment required is perhaps greater than would be desirable for certain applications, in that the yarn piecing apparatus is duplicated and relatively powerful driving motors are used in driving the fans which provide cleaning air flows and in moving the apparatus along a textile machine being tended. When economy is sought by sharing such apparatus over a greater number of individual textile machines, the time between successive scans or inspections of an individual yarn producing location along an individual machine may become excessively and unacceptably long, thereby leading to undersirably high loss of production from a location at which production of yarn has been interrupted.

Having in mind the aforementioned difficulties and the prior success of certain proposed solutions, it is an object of the present invention to accomplish efficient and economically acceptable tending of an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame in a manner which scans or inspects at relatively high frequency for interrupted yarn production and for reinstitution of such production while also efficiently using flowing currents of air for pneumatic cleaning. In realizing this object of the present invention, a method and apparatus are employed which support tubes for blowing and suction cleaning in particular relationship with yarn piecing apparatus, and achieve sharing of the cleaning flows of air and reinstitution of yarn production between the two sides of an elongate textile machine by passing the tending apparatus first along one side of the textile machine and then along the other.

A further object of the present invention is the mounting of yarn piecing apparatus in particular relationship with apparatus for traveling pneumatic cleaning, whereby compatibility of the two service functions is readily accommodated. In realizing this object of the present invention, yarn piecing apparatus and tubes for the conduction of cleaning air'flows are supported, in part, from a housing which is traveled along and above an elongate textile machine. As the tubes and the yarn piecing apparatus approach an end portion of the textile machine, the tubes and yarn piecing apparatus are moved through an arcuate path around the end of the machine and then traveled along the machine in the opposite direction.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a side elevation of apparatus in accordance with the present invention, shown operating over an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation, partially in section, illustrating the tending apparatus and textile machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3, illustrating the control arrangement therefor.

In the accompanying drawings, a traveling tending apparatus, generally indicated by the reference character 10, moves along a track 11 over an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame 12 for tending the spinning of frame 12 by removing lint and the like therefrom and by reinstituting a production of yarn at spindle locations therealong. The apparatus 10 comprises a carriage generally indicated at 14 which is mounted on the track 11 for movement therealong and which includes a plurality of guide and traction rollers 15, 16 (FIG. 2), l7 and 18 (FIG. 4). The carriage is driven along the track 11 by means of a tractor drive motor 19 drivingly connected with two of the wheels 17, 18 which engage the track 11. As disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,319 which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application to the extent necessary to fully understand the present invention, the drive means for the carriage is operatively interconnected with the control means for an automatic yarn piecing apparatus as described more fully hereinafter, such as by means of a clutch and brake arrangement, for interruption of driving of the carriage means during the reinstitution of yarn production. While an arranegment is disclosed here which has the tending apparatus of this invention traversing a single spinning frame 12, it is contemplated that the apparatus 10 may traverse more than one frame if desired or necessary, moving between opposite end portions of the track 11 overlying such frames.

The apparatus 10 further includes a housing 21 supported from the carriage for movement therewith along the track l1, tube means including a suction tube 22 and a blowing tube 23 depending from the housing 21, a yarn piecing apparatus housing 25 disposed between the tubes 22, 23 and lower guide rails 26, 27 mounted on the spinning frame 12 adjacent the ring rails 29, 30. As is known to persons familiar with the construction and arrangement of elongate textile machines such as the spinning frames 12, the ring rails 29, 30 mount a plurality of spindles (as indicated at 31 in FIGS. 1 and 2) at which yarns Y are packaged into bobbins 32 or the like. As is further understood, interruption of for mation of yarns Y requires reinstitution of production at the spindles.

Specific details of the yarn piecing apparatus contained within the housing 25 will not be given here as an understanding of the construction and arrangement of such apparatus may be obtained elsewhere. Specific examples of such equipment, listed by way of example only and not by way of limitation, include the arrangements disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 26,360 to Escursell-Prat; U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,551 to Gillono et al', and U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,866 to Bell et al. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term yarn piecing apparatus is directed generically to all such apparatus which reinstitute the production of yarn at spindle locations along a textile yarn forming machine where ends are down and that the term piecing up is intended to refer generically to such reinstitution of yarn production.

In accordance with this invention, the yarn piecing apparatus contained within the housing 25 is supported during movement along one side of the spinning frame 12 from the track 11 and from the corresponding one of the lower tracks 26, 27. In particular, the yarn piecing apparatus is equipped with lower guide rollers (indicated at 35 in FIG. 2) for engaging the corresponding one lower guide rail. Further, by being disposed between and in engagement with the depending tubes 22, 23, the yarn piecing apparatus is supported from the housing 21 which is mounted upon the carriage 14 and thus upon the track 11.

The housing 21 includes a plurality of sections defining a blowing air scroll portion 36, a suction air scroll portion 38, and a waste receptacle portion 39. By means of a fan mounted within the housing 21 and driven by a fan motor FIG. 4), air is induced to flow away from the housing 21 through the blowing scroll 36 and fiow toward the housing 21 through the suction scroll 38. Air flowing through the suction scroll 38 is discharged through the waste receptacle 39, which is disposed on a side of the housing remotefrom the tubes 22, 23 in order to provide a counterbalance for other portions of the apparatus 10.

In accordance with the present invention, the housing 21, the tubes 22, 23 and the yarn piecing apparatus housing 25 are supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis which is in the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the spinning frame 12 near an end of the frame. In particular, rotation of the housing 21 about the substantially vertical axis rotates the tubes 22, 23 and the automatic yarn'piecingapparatus housing 25 about the axis and swings those elements around an end of the spinning frame, from a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine (the phantom line position of FIG. 3) to a position in aisle space to the opposite side of the spinning frame .(the solid line position of FIG. 3). Movement in this manner is indicated in FIG. 3.

The housing 21 is driven in rotation about the substantially vertical axis through the operation of a con- 7 trol meansincluding rotation driving means in the form of an electrical motor 41 (FIG. 4). The rotation driving motor 41 is mounted from the carriage frame and, through engagement with a driving ring 42 forming an interior surface of the housing 21, rotates the housing relative to the carriage. By means of lever members 44, 45 included on skirt portions of the carriage and locking pins 46, 47 operated thereby, the housing 21 is locked and unlocked for rotation and suitable electrical controls are actuated.

More particularly, each of the lever arms 44, 45 is mounted for pivotal movement about a corresponding horizontal pivot axis, and includes an appropriate cam following roller 48, 49 at a depending lower arm thereof. Positioned adjacent opposite ends of the track 11 are actuating cams 50, 51 which are engaged by the rollers on the lever members 44, 45 and cause pivotal motion of the levers.

Each of the levers 44, 45 has a corresponding electrical switch associated therewith, as generally indicated by switch means 52, 53 in FIG. 4.-One of the electrical switch means 52 is a two pole, double throw switch, while the other electrical switch means 53 is a four pole, double throw switch. In each instance, the switch opening 55 in the ring 41 when the opening is aligned with the pin. Cooperation of the cams and levers is such that engagement of the cam'following. rollers with the cams draws the locking pins downwardly so as to be withdrawn from the locking opening 55.

As has been pointed out, the operation of the apparatus 10 of the present invention is particularly arranged for servicing elongate textile machines by successive passes down first one side of the machine and then the other, with the yarn piecing apparatus and tube means passing in succession around opposite ends of the machine. It is to be understood, however, that the control arrangement employed may be varied in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned related U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,992 to limit swinging movement to occurrence at only one end of the elongate textile machineor to otherwise modify the operation of the apparatus.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed is:

1. A method of tending an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame comprising the steps of:

traveling carriage and a housing mounted thereon in one direction above and along the machine while supporting from the carriage a pair of tubes and a yarn piecing apparatus which depend to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine,

tending the one side of the machine by inducing a flow of air through the housing and the tubes for pneumatic cleaning while reinstituting yarn production at locations along the machine where yarn production has been interrupted, and upon the carriage approaching one'end of the machine. rotating the housing, tubes and yarn piecing apparatus relative to the carriage and about a substantially vertical axis which lies in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the machine while swinging the tubes and yarn piecing apparatus around an end of the machine to a position in an aisle space on the other side of the machine, and then traveling the carriage, housing, tubesand yarn piecing apparatus'in the opposite direction along the machine while tending the other side thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the traveling of the carriage while inducing a flow of air through the tubes comprise mounting the carriage on a track extending over the machine and driving the carriage back and forth along the track between locations overlying the end portions of the machine.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the driving of the carriage along the track is interrupted during the reinstituting of yarn production and during the rotating and swinging of the housing, tubes and yarn piecing apparatus.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising sensing the presence of the carriage at at least one predetermined position overlying an end portion of the machine and further wherein the rotating of the housing, tubes and yarn piecing apparatus proceeds in response to the sensed presence of the carriage at the one end portion overlying position.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the sensing and rotating proceed upon the carriage moving to either of the two locations overlying the two end portions of the textile machine whereby the tubes and yarn piecing apparatus swing successively around first one end and then the other end of the textile machine.

6. A traveling tending apparatus for moving along a track extending longitudinally of and above an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame and comprising:

carriage means mounted on the track for movement back and forth therealong between opposite end portions of the machine,

tending means supported from said carriage means for alternately tending first one side and then the other side of the machine, said tending means ineluding housing means mounted on said carriage means for rotation about a vertical axis relative to said carriage means, the track and the machine, tube means depending from the housing to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine, and yarn piecing apparatus mounted from said tube means for passing adjacent yarn forming locations along the sides of the machine,

means operatively connected with said housing means and said tube means for inducing cleaning flows of air therethrough for tending-the sides of the machine by pneumatically cleaning the machine, and

control means operatively connected with said carriage means and said tending means for rotating said housing means about said vertical axis when said carriage means approaches an end portion of the machine from one direction and for swinging said tube means and said yarn piecing apparatus around the end of the machine toa position in an aisle space to the other side of the machine and for initiatingmovement of said carriage means in the other direction.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said carriage means'further includes reversible tractor drive means for driving said carriage means in movement along the track between locations overlying the end portions ofthe machine.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said tractor drive means is operatively connected with said control means for interruption of driving of said carriage means during the reinstitution of yarn production and during the rotating and swinging of said housing means, tube means and yarn piecing apparatus.

9; Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said control means comprises rotation driving means operatively connected to said housing means for driving said housing means in rotation about said vertical axis and thereby rotating and swinging said tube means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said control means further comprises means for sensing the presence of said carriage means at at least one predetermind position overlying an end portion of the machine, said sensing means being operatively connected with said rotation driving means for actuating said rotation driving means in response to the sensed presence of said carriage means at said at least one predetermined position.

ll. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said sensing means comprises actuating cam means at two predetermined locations overlying the opposite end portions of the traversed textile machine and cam actuated means for cooperating with said cam means for swinging said tube means and yarn piecing apparatus successively around first one end of the traversed textile machine and then the other.

12. A method of tending an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame comprising the steps of:

mounting a carriage on a track extending over the machine and driving the carriage back and forth along the track for traveling a housing mounted thereon in one direction above and along the machine while supporting from the carriage at least one tube and a yarn piecing apparatus which depend to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine,

tending the one side of the machine by inducing air to flow through the housing and the least one tube while directing the flowing air against the machine for pneumatic cleaning thereof,

interrupting driving of the carriage along the track at locations where yarn production by the machine has been interrupted and then reinstituting yarn production at such locations and then reinitiating driving of the carriage along the track, and upon the carriage approaching one end of the machine,

interrupting driving of the carriage along the track and rotating the housing, at least one tube and yarn piecing apparatus relative to the carriage and about a substantially vertical axis which lies in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the machine while swinging the at least one tube and yarn piecing apparatus around an end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the other side of the machine, and then reinitiating driving of the carriage in the opposite direction along the track while tending the other side of the machine.

13. The combination with an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame and a track extending longitudinally above the machine of apparatus for successively tending first one side and then the other of the machine and comprising:

carriage means mounted on the track for movement back and forth therealong and including reversible tractor drive means for driving said carriage means between locations overlieing opposite end portions of the machine,

tending means supported from said carriage means for alternately tending first one side and then the other side of the machine, said tending means including housing means mounted on said carriage means for rotation about a vertical axis relative to said carriage means, the track and the machine, tube means depending from the housing to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine, and yarn piecing apparatus for passing adjacent yarn forming locations along the sides of the machine,

fan means mounted within said housing means and operatively communicating with said tube means for inducing cleaning flows of air therethrough for direction against the machine and for tending the sides of the machine by pneumatically cleaning the machine, and

control means for sensing the presence of said carriage means at at least one predetermined position overlying an end portion of the machine and operatively connected with said tractor drive means and said'tending means for interrupting driving of said carriage means when said carriage means approaches an end portion of the machine from one direction and for rotating said housing means about said vertical axis for swinging said tube means and said yarn piecing apparatus around the end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the other side of the machine,isaid control means initiating driving of said carriage means in the other direction along the track upon completion of rotating and swinging of said tube means and said yarn piecing apparatus. 

1. A method of tending an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame comprising the steps of: traveling carriage and a housing mounted thereon in one direction above and along the machine while supporting from the carriage a pair of tubes and a yarn piecing apparatus which depend to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine, tending the one side of the machine by inducing a flow of air through the housing and the tubes for pneumatic cleaning while reinstituting yarn production at locations along the machine where yarn production has been interrupted, and upon the carriage approaching one end of the maChine. rotating the housing, tubes and yarn piecing apparatus relative to the carriage and about a substantially vertical axis which lies in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the machine while swinging the tubes and yarn piecing apparatus around an end of the machine to a position in an aisle space on the other side of the machine, and then traveling the carriage, housing, tubes and yarn piecing apparatus in the opposite direction along the machine while tending the other side thereof.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the traveling of the carriage while inducing a flow of air through the tubes comprise mounting the carriage on a track extending over the machine and driving the carriage back and forth along the track between locations overlying the end portions of the machine.
 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the driving of the carriage along the track is interrupted during the reinstituting of yarn production and during the rotating and swinging of the housing, tubes and yarn piecing apparatus.
 4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising sensing the presence of the carriage at at least one predetermined position overlying an end portion of the machine and further wherein the rotating of the housing, tubes and yarn piecing apparatus proceeds in response to the sensed presence of the carriage at the one end portion overlying position.
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the sensing and rotating proceed upon the carriage moving to either of the two locations overlying the two end portions of the textile machine whereby the tubes and yarn piecing apparatus swing successively around first one end and then the other end of the textile machine.
 6. A traveling tending apparatus for moving along a track extending longitudinally of and above an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame and comprising: carriage means mounted on the track for movement back and forth therealong between opposite end portions of the machine, tending means supported from said carriage means for alternately tending first one side and then the other side of the machine, said tending means including housing means mounted on said carriage means for rotation about a vertical axis relative to said carriage means, the track and the machine, tube means depending from the housing to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine, and yarn piecing apparatus mounted from said tube means for passing adjacent yarn forming locations along the sides of the machine, means operatively connected with said housing means and said tube means for inducing cleaning flows of air therethrough for tending the sides of the machine by pneumatically cleaning the machine, and control means operatively connected with said carriage means and said tending means for rotating said housing means about said vertical axis when said carriage means approaches an end portion of the machine from one direction and for swinging said tube means and said yarn piecing apparatus around the end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the other side of the machine and for initiating movement of said carriage means in the other direction.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said carriage means further includes reversible tractor drive means for driving said carriage means in movement along the track between locations overlying the end portions of the machine.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said tractor drive means is operatively connected with said control means for interruption of driving of said carriage means during the reinstitution of yarn production and during the rotating and swinging of said housing means, tube means and yarn piecing apparatus.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said control means comprises rotation driving means operatively connected to said housing means for driving said housing means in rotation about said vertical axis and thereby rotating and swinging said tube meanS.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said control means further comprises means for sensing the presence of said carriage means at at least one predetermind position overlying an end portion of the machine, said sensing means being operatively connected with said rotation driving means for actuating said rotation driving means in response to the sensed presence of said carriage means at said at least one predetermined position.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said sensing means comprises actuating cam means at two predetermined locations overlying the opposite end portions of the traversed textile machine and cam actuated means for cooperating with said cam means for swinging said tube means and yarn piecing apparatus successively around first one end of the traversed textile machine and then the other.
 12. A method of tending an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame comprising the steps of: mounting a carriage on a track extending over the machine and driving the carriage back and forth along the track for traveling a housing mounted thereon in one direction above and along the machine while supporting from the carriage at least one tube and a yarn piecing apparatus which depend to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine, tending the one side of the machine by inducing air to flow through the housing and the least one tube while directing the flowing air against the machine for pneumatic cleaning thereof, interrupting driving of the carriage along the track at locations where yarn production by the machine has been interrupted and then reinstituting yarn production at such locations and then reinitiating driving of the carriage along the track, and upon the carriage approaching one end of the machine, interrupting driving of the carriage along the track and rotating the housing, at least one tube and yarn piecing apparatus relative to the carriage and about a substantially vertical axis which lies in a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the machine while swinging the at least one tube and yarn piecing apparatus around an end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the other side of the machine, and then reinitiating driving of the carriage in the opposite direction along the track while tending the other side of the machine.
 13. The combination with an elongate textile machine such as a spinning frame and a track extending longitudinally above the machine of apparatus for successively tending first one side and then the other of the machine and comprising: carriage means mounted on the track for movement back and forth therealong and including reversible tractor drive means for driving said carriage means between locations overlieing opposite end portions of the machine, tending means supported from said carriage means for alternately tending first one side and then the other side of the machine, said tending means including housing means mounted on said carriage means for rotation about a vertical axis relative to said carriage means, the track and the machine, tube means depending from the housing to a position in an aisle space to one side of the machine, and yarn piecing apparatus for passing adjacent yarn forming locations along the sides of the machine, fan means mounted within said housing means and operatively communicating with said tube means for inducing cleaning flows of air therethrough for direction against the machine and for tending the sides of the machine by pneumatically cleaning the machine, and control means for sensing the presence of said carriage means at at least one predetermined position overlying an end portion of the machine and operatively connected with said tractor drive means and said tending means for interrupting driving of said carriage means when said carriage means approaches an end portion of the machine from one direction and for rotating said housing means about said vertical axis for swinging said Tube means and said yarn piecing apparatus around the end of the machine to a position in an aisle space to the other side of the machine, said control means initiating driving of said carriage means in the other direction along the track upon completion of rotating and swinging of said tube means and said yarn piecing apparatus. 